Yes, my mother was a liar. And now she is senile. Yesterday when I was at her house she said "I want a bigger Christmas tree! Go and find one laying on the ground somewhere" She wanted me to steal one from a closed Christmas tree lot.

Hi Tony,
you know a couple of years ago you were discussing the possibility of having a pre famous stadium rock band show. You know when T.REX were Tyranessaurous rex and REM your just a fart in their dads Christmas pudding.
Well I have just found out that Cherry Red are releasing the first 7 Reo Speedwagon albums 1971-77 in a 7 cd boxset.
Apparently they were a shit hot blues rock band before becoming (in)famous in 1981.
Good news then1

the only thing i knew of reo speedwagon for years was a song "157 riverside avenue" on my brother's "the music people" compilation and i loved that song. i was a child, and it boogied.
i listened to it a couple years ago and, well, the magic is gone.....but if that's a transitional point i could see how earlier stuff might be good.

I know nothing of this REO Speedwagon of which you speak. However, i will say this: A few years ago Chresti were at a New Years Eve party in San Francisco. There were some insufferable Friscoids mincing about expressing their parochial views about whatever. The host, who is our friend put on The Residents, and one denizen of the Haight teetered on her high heels and exclaimed " Whaat iss thiiis sssshhit!?! Puut on sommme REO SPEEDWAGON!!!